Ewan_McMahon wrote:I know that DVD's have a limited size (compared to Blu-Ray), and as such many of the longest movies made cannot fully fit on 1 DVD disk (on one side anyway). So typically the movie is spread over 2 disks (or have a flipper-disk - a really stupid invention IMO). Either way, interrupting a movie in this way I find extremely annoying (for me anyway). Anyway the movies I would like to confirm are as follows:
The reasons for splitting a movie include:
- Length versus bitrate - If a movie is long, then you need more space to fit it, which you already deduced. A higher bitrate means a better picture. Some older releases have really bad quality, because the chosen bitrate was too low.
- Extended Cuts - Longer movie takes up more space. You can sacrificed the bitrate or choose a good split point.
- Natural split - Some movies were even originally shown in theatres with an intermission due to their length. I've been to a couple of those in the past.
- Inclusion of extras - Certain extras like commentary tracks take up space along the movie itself and can't be put separately in any other way. Branching featurettes and seamless branching deleted scenes from the main feature are also special features that can do that.
- Language tracks - Depending on the market, a number of language tracks are included (consolidated production for reduced cost). UK is probably unique in often (at least in the past) getting their own releases with only English tracks. But things like inclusion of a full or half bitrate DTS track takes up space.
"The Green Mile" was probably split due to the inclusion of the commentary track primarily. The non-split version has only basic extras.
"Titanic (1997)" is a case of the same (multiple commentary tracks) and I believe there is an extended cut of the movie or something to that effect. I believe I watched the original single-disc release.
"Schindler's List" is like due to the inclusion of the DTS audio track or a desire for a higher bitrate. Also, it was probably already going to be a 2-disc release due to the documentary, so splitting the movie for better quality seems like a good choice. It is a very good release and I watched it in this split fashion. I believe there is only one version, which is the same across regions.
Ewan_McMahon wrote:NOTE: I think all these titles have had quite recent re-releases - but I'm not sure if all re-releases are currently listed on the comparison pages. By the way - is it true most (all?) country releases of each of the Lord-Of-The-Rings-Extended-Versions movies are movie-split EVEN on Blu-Ray?
They probably used the same source cut. I assume that most Blu-rays have the same quality increase ratio, which means 1 DVD = 1 Blu-ray quality-wise, but I don't know.
Ewan_McMahon wrote:To be honest I'm beginning to think going back to VHS is a better option! - Less annoying remix sound-effects audio soundtracks on most VHS too! 
I guess, you're not at all interested in quality, only whether you need to lift your lazy bottom off the couch.
Ewan_McMahon wrote:Anyway, can anyone just confirm for me the above data is 100% correct
I cannot personally verify "The Green Mile", but I have no reason to doubt the releases being as listed.
"Titanic (1997)" I can personally verify the existence of both split and non-split versions.
"Schindler's List" I can verify the split version and I don't believe it was mentioned on the cover.
I cannot say anything about Amazon's listings.
Ewan_McMahon wrote:Also, query: Titanic-(not-split)-1-Disk has aspect ratio "2.27:1" - what kind of ratio size is this? + Is it accurate? This ratio is not specifically on the wikipedia page abut aspect-ratio sizes:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspect_ratio_(image) Seems like a kind of in-between ratio size... Also the Amazon.co.uk listing says it's 4:3 / 1.33:1 ratio size (though I don't fully trust Amazon's data).
2.27:1 is a non-standard ratio, but nothing prevents it from being. It can either be an original ratio (although that doesn't seem to be the case here) or a choice of framing made for the disc.
A non-anamorphic release is formatted for a 4:3 (1.33:1) ratio television and so to some degree listing the release as 4:3 is accurate. You will have extra black bars around the image on widescreen, due to black bars being included in the image for a 4:3 image (top/bottom), and on the sides to make the final image widescreen on a modern TV. Your computer will just play it in a 4:3 window with black bars on top/bottom.
Ewan_McMahon wrote:Finally, somewhat bizarrely, "The Pelican Brief" which ISN'T anywhere near as long a movie as those mentioned above, has in the UK and various other countries only ever been released as movie-split 2-sided flipper disk? Understandable I guess if it was released on DVD in 1998 (DVD's weren't really very good back in those early days), but I wonder why this film has never been re-released on DVD (in the UK)? Focus on Blu-Ray releases everywhere I bet...
I believe "The Pelican Brief" might have been released on a double-side single-layer disc and thus split over two sides to compensate for each layer having less space. Some listings have it as a DVD10 disc (which is a double-side DVD5), confirming my suspicion. Modern DVDs are single-side dual-layer (DVD9).
I can't say anything about why it wasn't re-released.
- but splitting some long movies the way they do to me just ruins the momentum of the movie (especially when they put a split in very bad locations - from what I read). And generally I DO want quality of things I watch/listen to (and preferably a data storage device that won't wear out every time I use it!). 
